'Eyes on Gaza, hand on the trigger': Israel prepares to continue fight against Houthis

"The assessment is that the Houthis will resume fire when Israel renews the fighting in Gaza," a source familiar with the details told The Jerusalem Post.

 Newly recruited fighters who joined a Houthi military force intended to be sent to fight in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, march during a parade in Sanaa, Yemen December 2, 2023 (photo credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)
Newly recruited fighters who joined a Houthi military force intended to be sent to fight in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, march during a parade in Sanaa, Yemen December 2, 2023
(photo credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)

After a long period without missile or drone attacks from the Houthis in Yemen, Israel is preparing for their resumption.

“The assessment is that the Houthis will resume fire when Israel renews the fighting in Gaza,” a person familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post Thursday.

Israel has so far attacked the Houthis in Yemen five times during the Israel-Hamas War. The last attack was on January 10.

During these strikes, Israel targeted civilian infrastructure with military use, such as airports, seaports, and power stations, as well as military targets.

The Houthis stopped their attacks when the hostage-ceasefire deal was announced several weeks ago.

'The hand is on the trigger'

But earlier this week, a senior Houthi official issued a threat on his X/Twitter account: “The eye is on Gaza, the hand is on the trigger, missiles and drones, and all military units are on alert. The decision of leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi is clear.”

Israel is coordinating with the Trump administration on the issue, and discussions are ongoing regarding the possibility of renewed fire, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The Trump administration intends to adopt a “tougher stance” than the Biden administration did regarding the Houthis, the source said.